Shawn Michaels’ music hit and he pranced down to the ring and he took the mic. He said he had no excuses, that the better man won last night. He said he wanted to invite Randy Orton down to the ring so that he could shake his hand.

Orton popped up on the titan tron asking if Michaels really expected him to come down to the ring. HBK conceded that if Orton came down, he’d probably kick him again. But if it made him feel any better, he’d have only done it if he got a rematch for the championship. Orton told him to save it, that HBK wasn’t interested in a rematch, he was interested in ending his career. He said he wouldn’t dignify his challenge with a response.

He said there was a torch runner coming to the arena tonight to pass the torch of best in the WWE on to him. He said Michaels had his chance and now it was over. Kennedy’s music hit and here we go with a nice little match.

I think. Kennedy went for his mic and Michaels just decked him. Kennedy dragged him to the outside and we’ve got a little brawl. Kennedy ended the fun, whipping HBK into the steel ring post.

Kennedy said HBK had his shot and now it was his turn. HBK didn’t like the answer and dragged Kennedy to the outside before flattening him with a clothesline. HBK challenged him to a match on the mic. Kennedy asked HBK what he was best known for and that was losing. Losing his smile, losing an epic ladder match…losing to John Cena.

William Regal interrupted and asked that a ref be sent down to the ring.

****Commercial****

We came back to a pretty wild brawl on the outside. The two fought down the ramp and around the ring before HBK tackled Kennedy and reigned blows down on his face before stomping on his gut.

HBK chased Kennedy through the ring only to get nailed in the nuts. The brawl spilled over the barricade and into the crowd before we ended back in the ringside area. The two rolled over the announce table before spilling back to the area near the ring. HBK got rammed into the ring apron and tossed into the ring. Kennedy went to retrieve a chair from ringside before getting clocked with sweet chin music through the chair and was sent to the outside unconscious. I guess we’re not getting a match, but still, a fun opening brawl for the sake of having a fun opening brawl.

Rumor is we’re getting Umaga v. Jeff Hardy later tonight. Should be fun.

****Commercial****

Santino Marella v. Jerry “The King” Lawler

Santino carried on for a little while, trying to egg on a fist to the face but instead ate a drop kick. The two locked up again and got backed into the corner as Jerry feigned a punch. Marella took the opportunity to zip Lawler around and nail him with some shoulder thrusts before goading the crowd.

Lawler came back a house of fire and hit some body shots before missing a dive in the corner and clattering into the ring post. Marella took advantage hitting some stomps before hitting a flying head drop and going to the outside.

Marella put on Lawler’s crown and said he was going to beat Lawler like a ‘government dog’. He said he was Lawler and he liked puppies. He made fun of women because he had no self esteem. He kept running his mouth only to eat a PUNCH!~ to the face.

Lawler sent him off the ropes and got a hip toss before looking for some more rope fun. Marella reversed it though and yanked the arm out of the socket and went for a hip toss of his own. Lawler struggled around to a backslide and wouldn’t ya know it, got the pin.

Winner: Jerry Lawler via pin fall

WWE Champion Randy Orton popped up out of nowhere and NAILED an RKO on the King. He said he couldn’t help himself. He gave us an update on his torch runner. He’s running past the arena he beat Shawn Michaels at. He said it was like yesterday. Oh wait, it WAS yesterday. He said we were nearing the official passing of the torch.

****Commercial****

The torch runner is doing his Forest Gump impression, and is still going.

Todd Grisham asked Kennedy how he felt. Kennedy said he was just out there to show some respect to HBK but that wasn’t the case because he got nailed in the face with a super kick. Kennedy knew why he did it. He said he knew his career was evaporating and he saw talent in Kennedy he hadn’t seen in years. He said Michaels was trying to hold him down. He said that wouldn’t happen because father time catches up with everyone, including Michaels.

JR ran down last night’s events with the Khali-Hornswaggle match. A video aired recapping the events of last night.

Vince was with William Regal and Coach in the back. He asked them what they thought about Survivor Series. They laughed about Hornswaggle’s mishaps and McMahon’s speech. Coach got to the part about Finlay and Vince cut him off. Carlito walked in to tell him he respected his tough love approach last night. Vince asked him if he thought he was tough and how tough he would feel taking on a 4’4 McMahon. Vince made a Carlito-Hornswaggle match for later tonight. Carlito was laughing like crazy..

Everyone was laughing except Vince.

****Commercial****

Jeff Hardy v. Umaga

Umaga missed a charge in the corner and Hardy attempted a whip only to eat a head butt in the face. Umaga missed a falling head butt on the mat and was drop kicked to the outside. Hardy kept up the high speed offense before going for a two count and getting flung into the ropes. Hardy looked for a sunset flip. Umaga went for a punch and missed. Hardy hit a forearm before going for a second and getting killed with a shoulder block.

Hardy fought back with some punches only to get floored with some punches. Umaga slapped on a shoulder vice in an attempt to ground Jeff on the mat. Hardy repeatedly tried to use the crowd to rally him to his feet, but Umaga kept bearing down, forcing him to the mat.

Jeff finally looked for some elbows to the gut, but got socked in the puss again with another big right hand before Umaga went right back to the hold. Umaga was in full control and began to diversify the portfolio so to speak, only to miss a charge and crash into the ring post. Hardy connected with a DDT and headed to the top rope only to get tossed off and eat a nice patch of the security wall.

****Commercial****

We came back to Umaga mangling Jeff in the old vice grip again. Jeff fought back yet again and like a moron, went for a body slam. Jeff got him up, but ended up falling back under the weight and almost got pinned. Guess what’s next? Vice grip!

Hardy again fought out but this time got back body dropped to the mat. Umaga dropped the leg before going for a pin and getting a two count. Umaga began planting some stiff old kicks to the chest before hitting a spinning wheel kick for another two count. Umaga beat Hardy with rights onto the ring apron, but Jeff was able to hang him up on the top rope.

Hardy took a gamble, looking for something off the top rope and got caught and ATE a tilt a whirl slam. Somehow, someway, Hardy kicked out at two. Umaga dropped his globe like backside across Hardy’s chest before going back to the well and the vice grip.

Hardy fought back again only this time, to eat a big boot to the grill. Umaga lined up a big splash but missed completely. Hardy HAD an opening, but Umaga picked him off again with an uppercut. Umaga went for the running ass but Hardy dodged it and hit a quick whisper in the wind, but couldn’t capitalize. He got a two count but it wasn’t good enough.

Hardy hit a series of forearms before going for the twist of fate but got kicked off. Hardy hit a mule kick and got out of the way of a big splash in the corner only for Umaga to move out of the way himself. Umaga hit a Samoan splash before signaling for the spike. Umaga missed the spike and Hardy hit a twist of fate. Umaga rolled to the outside and crashed into the table on the outside. As he turned around, Hardy came flying over the top with a splash.

Hardy backed off waiting for Umaga to come to only to get jumped by Snitsky. Of all people.

Winner: Jeff Hardy via DQ

Snitsky and Hardy brawled only for Umaga to swing the odds. They dispatched of Hardy in short order. Triple H’s music hit and he came running in to make the save he cleared Umaga off and nailed a big face buster on Snitsky to clear the ring. Hardy climbed back into the ring and Triple H is giving him the rub. Literally.

Save_us.222 aired again. Tonight.

****Commercial****

Triple H and Jeff Hardy are in the back nodding heads. Todd Grisham walked up to Triple H. Triple H said he was the good Samaritan in the WWE always willing to help out. Ok, not so much. Triple H said as long as there were tough guys around, he’d be there to show him they were tougher. Something /* about Grisham and transvestites.

Hardcore Holly v. Cody Rhodes

The two locked up and grappled to the corner. Rhodes broke clean before Holly began laying in the chops. Holly went to work with some clubbing blows before going for an inside cradle. Rhodes kicked out and shot into a clothesline before getting right in the grill of Holly.

Holly didn’t like it and slammed him. Holly choked Rhodes out on the ropes before laying the boots to the kid. Holly slapped on the trusty rear chin lock. Holly laid in some more chops before Cody sneaked in a side Russian leg sweep for a one count.

Holly immediately dropped Cody with a drop kick to the grill. He went for an Alabama slam and rolled out. Holly quickly got out of the way of the pin attempt only to turn around and eat a kick to the gut and a DDT. Rhodes gets the big win.

Winner: Cody Rhodes via pin fall

Randy Orton popped out and RKO’d the crap out of both before giving us an update on the torch runner. Glory.

****Commercial****

A tribute video to WWE Champion Randy Orton aired.

Vince was in the back before being approached by Finlay. Vince said he wasn’t too big on surprises like he got last night. Finlay said he was Irish and that’s what being Irish was all about. Vince invited him to have a drink after the show. Finlay tried to sell him on the whole idea of drinking hot milk. They back slapped some more and, uh, I know less.

****Commercial****

Melina and Jillian came out to the ring. Jillian is on the mic and this is sure to rule. She blasted John Secada and his ‘Mexican speak’ before giving us some Gloria Esteffan. Jillian can rap and do opera. Move over J-Lo. Jillian tried to goad Lillian into a sing off before Mickie’s music hit and she and Maria came trotting down to the ring.

Mickie James & Maria v. Jillian Hall & Melina

The match started off with Maria getting the upper hand on Melina to start things off. She hit the bronco buster before looking for a whip. Melina reversed it and had Jillian help her out with a yank of the hair. Melina laid in with some stiff punches to the grill before tagging in Jillian.

Jillian tried to bust out a 450 splash but missed and she smashed into Melina. Mickie came in and made quick work to a near fall. Things kind of went awry here and there were a couple of misfires. Jillian wiggled her boobs before Mickie smooched her and kicked her head off. That’s that.

Winners: Mickie James & Maria via pin fall

Carlito’s on his way to the ring.

****Commercial****

No DisqualificationHornswoggle v. Carlito

Carlito mocked Hornswoggle some before the match, even getting down on two knees for a ‘test of strength’. Carlito easily shoved Hornswoggle who responded by biting Carlito in the backside and slapping Carlito. Hornswoggle took off with Carlito in full pursuit.

Hornswoggle dove under the ring and Carlito patiently went to the other side to look for him. Hornswoggle got a bucket of water and tossed it in Carlito’s face before getting caught on a high cross body. Carlito flopped him in the ring and went to spit on him. Finlay again came down to break things up and Carlito spat in his face.

Stupid.

Finlay killed Carlito with two brutal lariats and Hornswaggle covered him for the win.

Winner: Hornswoggle via pin fall

Hornswoggle spit in the face of Carilto after the match.

The torch runner is here! Yes!

****Commercial****

Randy Orton came down and put over all his accomplishments, saying he accomplished the impossible. He had defeated everyone there was to beat. He said it was time for the torch to be passed to him. The torch runner came running into the arena and into the ring.

As the torch runner came running in, he got dropped by a peculiar shadow. The save_us thing aired on the tron. You wanted it, waited for it. You got it.

CHRIS JERICHO!

Jericho got a ballistic pop from the crowd. Jericho welcomed us to Raw is Jericho.

Jericho told the fans to let their friends know that the sexy beast was back. Baby. Orton got annoyed and asked him who he thought he was. Orton said it didn’t matter, because Jericho was fired. He said even if he hadn’t been fired, Orton would have put him out.

Jericho ran up and down Orton making fun of his child bearing hips, super cuts style, etc. He said he was here to save us. Save us from Randy Orton. He said at the first opportunity he’d get, he’d take the WWE title from Randy Orton.

RAW THOUGHTS

Show Thoughts-- Wow. Sensational show tonight top to bottom. It was REALLY great.

WWE threw a nice countermeasure out there with the torch relay to count down the Jericho return nicely vis a vis the Orton torch passing ceremony. Orton was stupendous all night to boot. Randomly attacking people, shooting his mouth off and in general, being a douche bag. It really built to the crowd wanting him to be shut up. I thought the clothesline of the torch runner was a bit much, but still, it worked well enough.

The crowd pop was one of the biggest, if not THE biggest all year for Chris Jericho. They went nuts. Right up there with the HBK super kick to Cena and Hardy’s run in to attack Edge in ‘05 in terms of biggest pops on Raw in the past few years. Just a great moment. The promo was what it needed to be and it’s just nice to have Jericho back. They slotted him in a spot where he’s looking to challenge, but not definitively the challenger yet. Leaves open the options. Regardless, it’s great to have him back. He’s suffered with motivation issues in the past and it’ll be interesting to see, as many have speculated, how motivated he’ll be in a year with no hook to rely on, but if he STAYS motivated, he’ll bring some super excellent work with him.

The other big highlight of the show was Hardy-Umaga, which seems to be another great pairing and almost always a sure fire bet for a good match. Hardy seems to be in line for quite the push it seems, which is deserved. He’s been solid this year and sure, I’ve been tough (really tough at times) on him, but he’s earned it with a great year of work. Kudos to him.

The match with Umaga stuck with the whole beat down formula and just worked in Hardy’s spots really well. He works big men better than anyone in the company right now and never succumbed to the temptation of pulling out multiple comebacks. He allowed the crowd to sympathize with him and when the comeback came, it had great heat. The ending was what it was, but in a way it helps Hardy to have Triple H almost giving his seal of approval in the ring just as much as him winning does.

The rest of the show was solid stuff too. Santino and King worked a really fun Memphis match again while the women, although getting a little lost, tried their best to pop the crowd. It was a glorious train wreck I suppose. By the way, Jillian Hall is really strong on the mic.

Even though the night ended with Jericho being the big focus, I think this is the best they’ve booked Randy Orton since he won the title. He looked strong, like the guy to beat. It was like the last super kick didn’t even happen. All they showed was him RKO-ing the crap out of HBK over and over again. Kudos there as well.

I don’t know if this show flowed as well as others, but it certainly had some huge highlights with the lesser stuff being redeeming almost across the board.

This was a very good Raw and the best of the last quarter of the year thus far.

WWE Champion: Randy Orton 18-25-2 45pts. (Last Week: WWE Champion) -- It’s amazing how important clean wins for heels are. Orton more or less got punked out at the end of Raw by Jericho, but still comes off the strongest he’s looked in a while, thanks large in part to his non-stop plugging of the clean win over HBK last night. All in all, his best night since winning the championship.

Intercontinental Champion: Jeff Hardy 36-14, 68 points (Last Week: IC Champion)— So at this pace, Hardy’s going t o pass Cena as the top points-getter on Raw for the year. He’s putting in solid performances, he’s over with the crowd and it seems like WWE’s willing to invest a little more time in him. Well earned.

1. Triple H 14-4, 34pts (Last Week: 2) -- Triple H had a pretty quiet night for him tonight, but a Survivor Series win and a Michaels loss vaults him ahead of HBK in the rankings this week.

2. Shawn Michaels 14-8-1, 26 points (Last Week: 1) —Michaels put Orton over pretty strong and looks headed to something with Kennedy, which I think is good for both right now.

3. Umaga 21-20-1, 44 Points (Last Week: 3) — Cut it anyway you want, Umaga’s more or less been the back bone of the Raw roster this year. He’s stepped into a pseudo gate-keeper role, a role usually reserved for the best of the best vets, in a year and a half and done as good a job as anyone ever has in the role. Umaga has been to heels what Hardy has been for the faces. Take either one of these guys off the brand and it’d be a different story. Yes, I mean that.

4. Ken Kennedy 5-13-1, 10 pts (Last Week: 4)-- Kennedy cuts a pretty good promo and this feud with a hot HBK is just what the doctor ordered. The only way Kennedy’s going to improve in the ring is to work with guys way better than him. Michaels is miles ahead of him so it can only translate to good stuff.

5. Trevor Murdoch 10-17, 19pts. (Last Week: 5)-- If these two manage to break 20 points, it’s going to have been a really good year for them, all things considered. I’d like to have seen them USED in programs more, but they’ve been solid for what they’ve been asked to do.

6. Lance Cade 11-16, 18pts. (Last Week: 6)-- See Murdoch.

7. Cody Rhodes 9-6 15pts. (Last Week: 8) -- Cody’s decent and all, but he’s just got that super generic baby face vibe about him. We’ve had him on camera for more or less four months, so I think it’s time we delve away from the Holly beat downs and begin carving out a personality for the kid. He’s on the right track, but it’s time for a little more character development.

8. Hardcore Holly 4-2, 7 pts. (Last Week: 7) — Holly’s on a little bit of a slide here with a loss last night at Survivor Series and then getting beat by Cody tonight.

9. Jerry Lawler 3-1, 6pts. (Last Week: NR) -- He’s got a decent record and everything he’s been involved with has been solid. Sure, this is more of a pat on the back and I don’t expect Lawler to be here by next week, but any guy that can be that good at this age doing what he does deserves a tip of the cap.

10. Carlito 13-18-4, 23 pts. (Last Week: 9)-- Just as cold as ice. He’s in total free-fall at this point. He hasn’t done anything really worth mentioning since the Cena match in August and really, that had little to do with him. The Masters thing was the last thing he did on his own worth mentioning and just has gone nowhere. Losing to a midget is tough to recover from, but I don’t blame WWE and you shouldn’t either. Carlito’s not giving a crap got him here.